Pilgrimage Church of the Nativity of Mary (Wallfahrtskirche Maria Geburt) description and photos - Austria: Galtur (Topic)

Pilgrimage Church of the Nativity of Mary (Wallfahrtskirche Maria Geburt) description and photos - Austria: Galtur. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Wallfahrtskirche Maria Geburt.

Photo and description

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary stands on the top of a steep hill, located in the heart of the spa town of Galtur, Tyrol. The church is surrounded by a cemetery and is a major pilgrimage center. It is made in a predominantly Baroque style, but its interior design also belongs to the later Rococo style.

The first mention of this building appeared in 1359. Like many other churches, at first it existed as a tiny chapel that gradually grew into a more powerful structure. However, at the beginning of the 17th century, a fire broke out in the city, completely destroying the building of the church, and it had to be rebuilt. Construction work was carried out in the years 1622-1624. In general, the appearance of the church has remained unchanged over the centuries, however, some details and even individual rooms were added to it much later, especially in the 1770s and in the 1960s.

The church itself is a low building, painted in a light color and distinguished by relatively small windows. The high bell tower, which has been preserved since the end of the XIV century, stands out especially. However, a pointed spire appeared on it much later - at the end of the 19th century.

In the interior design of the church, two styles are noticeably mixed at once - Baroque and Rococo, distinguished by their pretentious decorations and luxurious stucco moldings. The decoration of the church was carried out in 1770-1780, while new decorative elements were added to the already existing baroque altars. The chair was also completed in the Rococo style. As for the figures placed in the altars, then they are considered a real masterpiece of woodcarving of the Baroque era and date back to the beginning of the 17th century. Church utensils and furniture have also survived from an earlier period, and they are also made in the Baroque style. The organ was installed quite a long time ago - back in 1867 and is still functioning.

Two ancient bells are used in the bell tower - one was made after a fire in the city, in 1624, and the second dates back to the Middle Ages and dates back to 1441. And on the territory of the church cemetery, amazing monuments and tombstones of the late 18th century have been preserved.

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Topic: Pilgrimage Church of the Nativity of Mary (Wallfahrtskirche Maria Geburt) description and photos - Austria: Galtur.